Rhoda Roberts dies aged 66: Trailblazer who coined the term ‘Welcome to Country’ and became the first Indigenous woman to host a current affairs show passes away after cancer battle
First Nations trailblazer Rhoda Roberts, who coined the term ‘Welcome to Country’, has died at the age of 66 after a months-long battle with cancer.
The Widjabul Wieybal woman of the Bundjalung Nation was the first Aboriginal host on mainstream television, the inaugural head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House and SBS’s first Elder-in-residence.
‘The Roberts-Field family are heartbroken to announce that our beautiful Rhoda Roberts has returned to the Dreaming on Saturday, March 21, at 1pm,’ a statement from her loved ones read on social media.
‘She passed peacefully in hospital after a seven-month fight with a very rare type of ovarian cancer.
‘Rhoda will be deeply missed by all whose hearts she touched, she was an incredible person in so many ways. Words fail to capture the true love, depth, intelligence and warmth that was our beloved Rhoda.
‘She dedicated her life to culture, Country and people from all walks of life. She never judged and never discriminated, she always wanted to help uplift people’s lives and provide love and care.
‘She faced so much trauma in her life, but continued fighting and never gave up. Her strength, dedication and pure love will forever be remembered.
‘She helped make incredible, positive change for so many and for this Country.’
Rhoda Roberts, who coined the term ‘Welcome to Country’, has died at the age of 66 after a months-long battle with cancer
The family of Ms Roberts (pictured centre with her children Jack and Sarah) announced her passing on Saturday afternoon
The family said they would share details regarding Ms Roberts’ celebration of life when they are finalised.
They have asked for understanding and privacy while navigating grief and celebrating her life.
Ms Roberts is survived by her partner Stephen, her children, Jack, Sarah, and Emily – who is the biological child of her twin sister who she raised from a baby.
Tributes have poured in for Ms Roberts, including from Indigenous singer and actress Casey Donovan.
‘What a voice for our people, our arts and for song women and men all over the world. Absolutely heartbroken to read this,’ she commented on the post.
‘The influence Aunty Rhoda has had on me and my career over the past 25 years has been absolutely life and career changing.
‘An extraordinary woman gone far too soon. Until we meet again in the promise land.’
Whadjuk Noongar journalist and commentator Narelda Jacobs added: ‘A leader and inspiration. Aunty Rhoda was wise, generous, kind, nurturing. She leaves our world a better place.’
In December last year, despite her illness, Ms Roberts wrote and performed My Cousin Frank at the Sydney Opera House, which told the story of her first cousin, Frank Roberts, a Widjabul Wia-bal and Githabul man from Cubawee who became Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian
Ms Roberts has been credited with coining the term Welcome to Country in the 1980s.
‘It (a Welcome to Country) was a moment for us to reflect on our religious beliefs, our rituals that we had always attended to,’ she told SBS Examines last year.
‘However, with occupation and the assimilation process, those practices were soon outlawed.’
The creative leader received an Order of Australia for distinguished service to the performing arts, leadership, advocacy and promoting contemporary Indigenous culture in 2016.
She was the founder and Artistic Director of the Festival of the Dreaming, Sydney Dreaming Festival and the Dreaming Festival between 1995 and 2009.
She went on to co-found and take on the role of artistic director for the QPAC Clancestry Festival, and was Garma Festival’s festival director in 2010.
In December last year, despite her illness, Ms Roberts wrote and performed My Cousin Frank at the Sydney Opera House.
She shared the story of her first cousin, Frank Roberts, a Widjabul Wieybal and Githabul man from Cubawee who became Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian.
A practised weaver, Ms Roberts was a prominent speaker, writer and performer in theatre, film, television and radio in Australia and across the world.
